Kurzbeschreibung

IEC is a simple type of fusion reactor developed in the 60's by Farnsworth. Nowadays this reactor is also beeing tested as a in-space propulsion system due to its high Isp.

Beschreibung

The Farnsworth-Hirsch fusor, uses Inertial Electrostatic Confinement to fuse atoms together, thats why the name (IEC). Although not so practical to generate Energy, this reactor serves as a viable source of neutrons.

The system works in several steps.

1) Ionization of neutral gas.

2) Townsend Avalanche.

3) Glow discharge.

4) Ions are driven by electric field to the center of the IEC.

a) Travel back and forth through the inner spherical grid

b) Lose kinetic energy by non elastic colisions to other ions.

5) Drawing electrons to the center to neutralise the potential difference of the virtual anode.